According to the national standards of official website and People's Republic of China (PRC) (PRC) of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, the detection methods of gardenia blue pigment include the requirements of smell, color and state, as well as the detection methods of physical and chemical indicators. The determination methods include direct drying method and the detection methods of drying reduction, w/% and total arsenic specified in GB 5009.3.
Gardenia blue pigment is a kind of natural edible pigment which is safe and has no toxic and side effects. It is a dark blue powder and easily soluble in water. It was listed in 1990 China Hygienic Standard for the Use of New Food Additives, which was used to dye protein, sugar and starch, especially in the production of mixed wine. Gardenia blue is an indispensable component in compound pigments such as pomegranate red.